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May 3rd, 2014, 12:44 am ·

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Staff and patients at a medical center in Menifee were possibly exposed to elemental mercury and had to evacuate a building on Thursday, May 1.

The mercury was released in an exam room at Sun City Medical Group from a blood pressure meter, which often use mercury devices to measure pressure. Approximately 110 grams of mercury or less were released, according to a discharge report that was filed with the Department of Environmental Health in Riverside County on Thursday.

The report said that staff and patients were possibly exposed to the toxic vapors and were denied access to the building until the levels could be reduced and officials deemed it safe. The building owner had to hire a contractor for the cleanup, which was scheduled to be done by 8 a.m. Friday.

The patients’ and staff’s clothing, shoes and vehicles were monitored for contamination.

Exposure to elemental mercury can affect the nervous system or harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and immune system, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. However, the effects of mercury depend on how much mercury a person was exposed to, their age and existing medical conditions.

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